Is a grappling dummy an effective way to improve your grappling skills? Which model is the best?

It can help out a little with control and takedowns, and help you get used to what is needed to pull off a particular submission, but at the same time a training partner or friend will be better, and free. Or you can go with a heavy bag and just imagine pulling off the submissions, while still being able to practice ground and pound, takedowns, throws, etc. I ordered this DVD called The Floor Bag Workout, its put out by Mark Hatmaker and I have found it to be perfect when trying to strengthen your ground game, and controling game as well.





Alls you need for it is a heavy bag, and possibly a mat because you could get hurt in doing some of the takedowns. But this DVD is freakin awesome and has helped me out a lot. But you cant replace actual sparring with training solo, just doenst work.

Is a grappling dummy an effective way to improve your grappling skills? Which model is the best?
Parris Hilton !
Reply:The best way to improve grappling skills is to find a friend that is a wrestler to teach you...
Reply:you could use a mirror?
Reply:NO NO NO! You must work with a team mate to develop your skills.
Reply:In any martial style there is no substitute for a real training partner... However not everyone is lucky enough to have access to one everyday. I imagine that havig some form of practice is better than none correct? Any arguments form the peanut gallery?





If you want to try out a dummy give it a go... I train Wing Chun and we use a training dummy for our style, it's a great way to train techniques, it might not teach you to react to your opponent as such but it will make your technique better when applied later... Practice practice practice!
Reply:Its better than not training. I've used a dummy before for Judo throws. It helps to have extra practice plus you can really experiment with a dummy. I was trying to invent throws which I don't think too many partners would like.
Reply:I would imagine that the T1000 would be the best as if you can submit and hold someone made of liquid metal, you can take on all the machados and gracies at once.
Reply:Don't use them....the most effective way to train for grappling is with a resisting partner. Don't get me wrong, you need to train moves to get "muscle memory" but don't substitute this with only a dummy. You can learn all the moves in the world, but if you never have the opportunity to use them against a person that is resisting you, then you are not really learning the move.